RobinSorry I missed out this month - in an area I enjoy, yet the cellar contents told a different story. I've borrowed the ideas from 2 months ago, and having looked at Sue's list of past topics, it does seem odd we've not done Merlot and Merlot dominant blends. There should be good numbers in NZ and Europe and North America assuming Sideways hasn't decimated the market. Australian merlot exists but hasn't perhaps had the success of Cabernet Sauvignon. South America also should throw a good few forward to choose from. I guess the key qaundary to answer is just what is Merlot's characteristics in each region and can it shed it's fat and be a great wine (well we know it can, but are the great examples as rare as they feel?). The concern I'd have about Merlot belnds is that (typically with Cabernet Sauvignon) it's difficult to assess the grape, when it's tank mates may have greater influence. I'm not sure I could face drinking too much 100% varietal merlot...

Personally I'd prefer the 'mature' wines from Bdx blends (i.e. wines made from combinations of Merlot/Cabernet S/Cabernet Franc / ...). Mature being flexible, as a more forward blend might be mature inside 3-4 years old, whilst others might take 30 years and still be tight. It shouldn't be difficult to find something mature at retail, but I suspect many of us have a few cellared away already.

Interesting thoughts, Ian. When I first read "mature," I thought, umm, we don't want to block out our many participants who don't have cellars or collect wine in a structured way. But as restated, I kind of like the idea.

Merlot and Merlot blends - with a little reference to "bouncing back from Sideways" - might be an excellent plan. It's truly international, and it would certainly incorporate your interest in at least some of the Bordeaux blends, particularly Right Bank.

What say others?

Ian Sutton wrote:RobinSorry I missed out this month - in an area I enjoy, yet the cellar contents told a different story. I've borrowed the ideas from 2 months ago, and having looked at Sue's list of past topics, it does seem odd we've not done Merlot and Merlot dominant blends. There should be good numbers in NZ and Europe and North America assuming Sideways hasn't decimated the market. Australian merlot exists but hasn't perhaps had the success of Cabernet Sauvignon. South America also should throw a good few forward to choose from. I guess the key qaundary to answer is just what is Merlot's characteristics in each region and can it shed it's fat and be a great wine (well we know it can, but are the great examples as rare as they feel?). The concern I'd have about Merlot belnds is that (typically with Cabernet Sauvignon) it's difficult to assess the grape, when it's tank mates may have greater influence. I'm not sure I could face drinking too much 100% varietal merlot...

Personally I'd prefer the 'mature' wines from Bdx blends (i.e. wines made from combinations of Merlot/Cabernet S/Cabernet Franc / ...). Mature being flexible, as a more forward blend might be mature inside 3-4 years old, whilst others might take 30 years and still be tight. It shouldn't be difficult to find something mature at retail, but I suspect many of us have a few cellared away already.

I like the idea of merlot-based wines, as I've acquired over the past few years a few Merlots from what I considered, based on limited experience, a "sweet spot" for Merlot (Oak Knoll Avenue at Big Ranch Road, about three miles south of Yountville, CA) I would love to try them to see how they have evolved!. Also a Vignalta Merlot-based wine from the Veneto that Corti swears by!

...(Humans) are unique in our capacity to construct realities at utter odds with reality. Dogs dream and dolphins imagine, but only humans are deluded. –Jacob Bacharach

TimI think that's a fine suggestion, as there is plenty to choose from there and there appears to be a trend away from bland neutrality, towards whites of interest and complexity - well at least on the Italian side of the med. Also plenty of unpronounceable greek whites that would count as well!

Whilst not a hugely tight focus, it seems an ideal candidate by way of an 'exploration' month, which may also make interesting reading for those that don't post. It's certainly a great idea for breaking us out of our 'safety zones'.

Perhaps one we need a month or two to be able to source wines - as unlike (say) Merlot, chances are there won't be too many already in people's cellars?

I do like the sound of this one. Perhaps we can collate a decent (albeit not comprehensive - that's just impossible) list of grapes (and appellations where grape variety not named). I've got a copy of Clarke/Rand 'Grapes and wines', plus a few other tomes, which I could make a stab at a list?

Cautionary note: we have had limited success in Wine Focus when we've had to extensively tweak a theme to find a way to broaden it. There's a lot to explore in Mediterranean white varities, but I think it's breadth is actually its liability. It makes it hard to have discussions that go much farther than "Nice note, wish I could find some."

Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for.

TomThe 'Open Mike' is indeed posted in the regular forum and is a little like a 'mini wine focus'. It does require a little running around to gauge/inspire interest, but we've had some great ones in the past (Ch Musar sticks in my brain, but I also recall a significant thread on Malbec). Bob P is a real star on these.

The focus is narrower and often off mainstream. There may be anywhere from two to twenty people joining in, and it's as much about the compare / contrast of wines (and indeed for the introspectives amongst us, our different palate perceptions).

Robin Garr wrote:Merlot and Merlot blends - with a little reference to "bouncing back from Sideways" - might be an excellent plan. It's truly international, and it would certainly incorporate your interest in at least some of the Bordeaux blends, particularly Right Bank.

What say others?

Merlot blends is definitely something that we will have to do sometime. Hopefully, though, we are about to have some summer and the blousey and jammy nature of a lot of Merlot, including much modern Bordeaux, is not what I instinctively reach for on a warm day. I would prefer this as an autumnal theme. (However, If the past two "summers" are repeated, we will have enough cold days where Merlot can be appreciated.)

Lighter Loire CabFranc, particularly from from sandy soils, is delicious young slightly chilled and, like similar Gamay, perfect for a warm day. That reminds me that one of the best Loire (and other French region) importers is giving a tasting this afternoon. What do I do with my wine probation?

Maybe we have the germs of a theme here on "refreshing red wines". Another aspect worth looking at in this context is red wine at different temperatures; I had an exchange of posts with Oswaldo about that a few weeks ago.

Bob Parsons Alberta. wrote:How about looking at some obscure whites? Have you heard of Formal, Falanghina, Petit Corbu, Moscatel , Sovereign Opal and Clairette de Die?

Good for Open Mikes, Bob. Wine Focus calls for something interesting but available around the world.

I like the merlot idea, but I disagree with your statement above. Or at least, I think you misunderstood: Bob wasn't pitching any of those grapes specifically, I believe, but the lot of them categorically. Everywhere you look in the world, I'm sure, there are unusual whites available, and they're fun to try and talk about. I think it would make a good topic.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

David M. Bueker wrote:If we were to do "Offbeat Whites" in July I'm sure that would work.

and indeed we need to work a few things out on it e.g. Are we:- Choosing wines by exception (e.g. no chardonnay, riesling, semillon, sauvignon blanc, ...) Are Chenin Blanc/viognier/pinot gris/pinot blanc/Trebbiano obscure enough?- Focusing on the earlier idea of meditteranean grape varieties / whites?- Also interested in interesting takes on international / common varieties e.g. late harvest chardonnays? Sparkling rieslings- Are some obscure regions in scope, even if the grape is common - e.g. Chinese Chardonnay?- something else?

Bearing in mind that we'll all have different perspectives on obscure/offbeat and it needs to avoid being inaccessible to those that fear a faux-pas in not knowing what's obscure or not.

I very much think it's a great idea and if June is going to be hot then July will be a scorcher (you heard it here first ).